Devin Hester, one of the top returners in NFL history, agreed Thursday to sign a three-year contract with the Falcons.
Before the Hester deal, the Falcons had spent $98.36 million on players this offseason. While the terms were undisclosed, Hester’s deal will push them over the $100 million mark. Also, before Hester’s deal, the Falcons had $9.42 million of salary-cap space remaining, according to NFLPA documents.
In addition to returning kicks and punts, the Falcons plan to integrate Hester into the offense. He has played defensive back and wide receiver in the NFL. He caught 51 passes in 2008 and 57 in 2009, but was phased out of Chicago’s offense last season.
The Falcons, who signed nickel back/returner Javier Arenas earlier this week, were looking to improve their punt- and kick-return units. With Hester and Arenas, they can pick their spots on when to use Hester.
Hester, 31, who played at the University of Miami, led the league in kickoff-return yardage last season and was used in a limited role as a punt returner.
Jacquizz Rodgers handled the kickoff-return duties last season for the Falcons, and Robert McClain was the main punt returner. The Falcons finished 10th in kickoff-return average (24.4 yards) and 20th in punts (8.2 yards) in 2013.
The dangerous Hester has returned 13 punts and five kickoffs for touchdowns over his career.
Hester, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, was selected by the Bears in the second round (57th overall) of the 2006 draft. He has appeared in 123 games, including 46 starts at wide receiver in eight seasons.
He has totaled 3,241 yards on 264 punt returns, and his 12.3 yards per return ranks fifth in the NFL history. Hester also has added 5,504 yards and five touchdowns on 222 career kickoff returns.
Hester was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team by the Associated Press for the 2000s.
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